Additive dispensing filter and method

Abstract

An additive cartridge for dispersing an additive within a filter housing is provided. The additive cartridge includes an additive cartridge housing having a peripheral wall, the additive cartridge housing defining first interior area and a second interior area being divided by a first wall. A first unidirectional fluid path is disposed adjacent the second end, the first fluid path defining a flow path from the second interior area. A first biasing member being made from a shape-memory alloy disposed in the second interior area adjacent the first end, the shape memory alloy moving between a first position and a second position in response to a change in temperature. A first piston member is movably disposed within the second interior area and coupled to the first biasing member, the first piston member defining a dispensing chamber within the second interior area.

1 . An additive cartridge for dispersing an additive within a filter housing, the additive cartridge comprising:
 an additive cartridge housing having a peripheral wall, the additive cartridge housing defining a first interior area and a second interior area being divided by a first wall, the first interior area defining a receiving area for receipt of the additive therein, the second interior area having a first end and a second end;   a first fluid path disposed adjacent the second end, the first fluid path defining a flow path from the second interior area, the first fluid path configured to allow unidirectional flow from the second interior area through the peripheral wall;   a first biasing member made from a shape memory alloy disposed in the second interior area adjacent the first end, the shape memory alloy moving between a first position and a second position in response to a change in temperature; and,   a first piston member movably disposed within the second interior area and coupled to the first biasing member, the first piston member defining a dispensing chamber within the second interior area.   
     
     
         2 . The additive cartridge of  claim 1  further comprising a second fluid path between the first interior area and the second interior area, the first fluid path configured to allow unidirectional flow of the additive from the first interior to the second interior area. 
     
     
         3 . The additive cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the first biasing member is in the first position at a first temperature and in the second position at a second temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The additive cartridge of  claim 3  wherein the first temperature is a temperature equal to or less than 130 F and the second temperature is a temperature equal to or greater than 150 F. 
     
     
         5 . The additive cartridge of  claim 3  wherein the shape memory alloy is selected from a group comprising: a Cu—Zn—Al—Ni alloy, a Cu—Al—Ni alloy and a Ni—Ti alloy. 
     
     
         6 . The additive cartridge of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second biasing member made from a shape-memory alloy disposed in the second interior area between the first fluid path and the second end, the shape memory alloy moving between a third position and a fourth position in response to a change in temperature; and, 
 a second piston member movably disposed within the second interior area and coupled to the second biasing member. 
 
     
     
         7 . A filter comprising:
 a filter housing defining an inlet fluid opening and an outlet fluid opening, the inlet fluid opening and the outlet fluid opening defining a first fluid path through the filter;   a filter element disposed inside the filter housing, the filter element being disposed in the first fluid path such that fluid flows through the filter element; and   an additive cartridge for dispersing an additive within the filter housing, the additive cartridge comprising:
 an additive cartridge housing having an outer peripheral wall, the additive cartridge housing defining a first interior area and a second interior area divided by a first wall, the second interior area having a first end and a second end; 
 a second fluid path disposed within the second interior area, the second fluid path defining a flow path from the second interior area through the outer peripheral wall to the first fluid path, the second fluid path configured to allow unidirectional flow from the second interior area through the outer peripheral wall; 
 a first biasing member made from a shape memory alloy disposed in the second interior area adjacent the first end, the shape memory alloy moving between a first position and a second position in response to a change in temperature; and, 
 a first piston member movably disposed within the second interior area and coupled to the first biasing member, the first piston member defining a dispensing chamber within the second interior area. 
   
     
     
         8 . The filter of  claim 7  wherein the second fluid path is fluidly coupled to the first fluid path between the filter element and the outlet fluid opening. 
     
     
         9 . The filter of  claim 8  wherein the first biasing member is in the first position at a first temperature and in the second position at a second temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The additive cartridge of  claim 9  wherein the first temperature is a temperature equal to or less than 130 F and the second temperature is a temperature equal to or greater than 150 F. 
     
     
         11 . The additive cartridge of  claim 10  further comprising a third fluid path between the first interior area and the second interior area, the third fluid path configured to allow unidirectional flow from the first interior area to the second interior area. 
     
     
         12 . The additive cartridge of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a first check valve disposed in the second fluid path, the first check valve being configured to allow uni-directional flow of additive from the dispensing chamber to the first fluid path; and, 
 a second check valve disposed in the third fluid path, the second check valve being configured to allow uni-directional flow of additive from the first interior area to the dispensing chamber. 
 
     
     
         13 . The additive cartridge of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a second biasing member made from a shape-memory alloy disposed in the second interior area adjacent the second end, the shape memory alloy moving between a third position and a fourth position in response to a change in temperature; and, 
 a second piston member movably disposed within the second interior area and coupled to the second biasing member. 
 
     
     
         14 . A method for dispersing an additive from an oil filter, the method comprising:
 providing an additive cartridge having a first interior area and a second interior area;   providing a first biasing member in the second interior area, the first biasing member being made from a shape memory alloy;   heating the first biasing member from a first temperature to a second temperature;   moving the first biasing member from a first position to a second position in response to the heating;   flowing additive from the second interior area to through a peripheral wall of the additive cartridge as the first biasing member moves from the first position to the second position;   cooling the first biasing member to the first temperature;   moving the first biasing member from the second position to the first position in response to the cooling;   flowing the additive from the first interior area to the second interior area as the first biasing member moves from the second position to the first position.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising preventing flow of additive from the second interior area to the first interior area when flowing the additive from the second interior area through the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising preventing fluid flow through the peripheral wall to the second interior area when flowing the additive from the first interior area to the second interior area. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 providing a second biasing member in the second interior area, the second biasing member made from a shape memory alloy; 
 heating the second biasing member; 
 moving the second biasing member from a third position to a fourth position in response to the hearing of the second biasing member; and, 
 flowing additive from the second interior area through the peripheral wall as the second biasing member moves from the third position to the fourth position; 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 cooling the second biasing member; 
 moving the second biasing member from the fourth position to the third position; and, 
 flowing additive from the first interior area to the second interior area as the second biasing member moves from the fourth position to the third position. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the additive composition comprises at least one additive selected from a group consisting of basic conditioners, corrosion inhibitors, metal deactivators, antioxidants, dispersants, friction modifiers, oil stabilizers, pour point depressants, detergents, viscosity index improvers, anti-wear agents, extreme pressure additives, and mixtures thereof and the additive composition is a liquid. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the additive composition comprises a basic salt selected from a group consisting of calcium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, aluminum dihydroxy sodium carbonate, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, zinc oxide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof and the additive composition is a liquid.